Shawnigan Lake School - Yearbook (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia Canada)

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Shawnigan Lake School Magazine X 19 4 2

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Shawnigan Lake School Magazine THE year is drawing to its close and the time has come to present our readers with another number of the School Magazine, the twentieth consecutive number since its inception in 1023. We make no apology for its slimness, which is due to the policy of war-time economy. Such a policy might reasonably enough have dictated the indefi- nite postponement of further publication of the Magazine. We have not taken this step for two reasons. Not only would it break the continuity of the Magazine ' s annual appearance, but the break would occur at a time when we particularly wish to send this record of the School ' s doings in 1942, to the Old Boys, so many of whom are serving in various parts of the world. For these boys we hope this number may be a link between the known past when they worked and played in the peace and security of Shawnigan, and the unknown future to meet which the whole world is blindly driving in a welter of blood and destruction. No man can foretell the pattern of the future world ; nor has the School an official oracle. Nevertheless it is eternally true that every man can face the future if he can face himself, and find in himself those qualities which mould the character of the true gentleman — mental and moral cleanness, courage, loyalty, humility, and reverence. Add to these qualities the assured knowledge of the great paradox that the curse of Adam has become mankind ' s greatest blessing, and you can bear tin 1 hardships of the present with courage, and the uncertainties of the future with hope, by putting: into the job you have in hand all your strength of mind and body. Such is our interpretation of the aims and objects of the School, as set forth in the terms of its foundation. If the School consist- ently holds by these ideals, it, too, should survive the difficulties of the present, and advance into a wider and more prosperous future when the Avar is over. It is well for us Ave cannot know the future; it reveals itself to us little by little in the few short hours of present. It comes upon us with the dawn and departs at sunset Where the day meets the past eternity. Each day brings its problems, sufficient often to tax our patience and to shake our courage. What with increased taxes, rationing, and various other govern- ment regulations, the inroads of the war on our prosperity have been severe. These things, however, only touch our pockets or cur- tail our freedom of action : they teach in the most practical way the need of economy. The School has worse enemies than these in cer- [ 3 ]